1. The act of abolishing.
2. The state of being annulled or abrogated.
3. (usu. cap.) The legal termination of slavery in the United States. [Cases: Slaves 24. C.J.S. Peonage §§ 3–5.]
4. Civil law. Withdrawal of a criminal accusation; a sovereign’s remission of punishment for a crime.
5. Hist. Permission granted to the accuser in a criminal action to withdraw from its prosecution. See NOLLE PROSEQUI.